Poilievre praises a president who threatens democracies—including ours—on a daily basis

To shamelessly steal from the memes, there’s a dictator that needs to be dealt with. He’a a convicted criminal and a power-hungry cartoon who tried to steal an election to gain power. He stomps on human rights and turns his army against his own people. This is United States President Donald Trump. Unfortunately, Trump’s American military took out the leader of another country: Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela. Trump’s inner circle seems to be communicating that it’s all in the best interest of Venezuelans, but that isn’t true. And yet, there was awkward silence on Jan. 3 when Maduro was taken. European Union and NATO country leaders stood around and glanced at somebody else to go first, like at an awkward Grade 8 dance. Finally, United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer said something vague about it. As the day wore on, there was some additional word salad from leaders. It is true that nobody will miss Maduro, a known dictator who is widely considered to have stolen the election in his country in 2024. But nobody immediately called out Trump for the shocking breach of democracy and international order. Nobody critiqued Trump in the way that they critiqued Maduro. Yet, they are one and the same. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre chose to congratulate Trump for his action, and then doubled down by saying, “Down with socialism.” Oh, where to start? Congratulating an act that spits on international order, democracy and the right to elections without interference shows that Poilievre also does not value democracy, but values a strong-arm approach to power that is best illustrated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, and now Trump. Who in their right mind would congratulate the unchained U.S. president who every few days threatens yet another democracy, including ours? Who would dare take a public stand here that would seem to support Trump’s MAGA movement? Every time a communication like this comes out of our political right, it will be perceived as feeding the Trump machine. It is taking a brick out of our own democracy. Every supportive social-media post from the right could embolden America to do something truly stupid against Canada. There’s nothing to trust in an American dictatorship that has directed troops against its own people, and is actively cleansing non-white people in blatant white supremacy. It’s a horror movie. But it’s not a movie. In Indigenous politics, the only possible analogy would be something out of the 1880s. The new country of Canada led by Sir John A. Macdonald was actively suppressing Indigenous communities and human rights, taking our children, stealing our land—all in the name of growing the power of Canada. The new federal government told Indigenous Peoples that our democracies are fake, and we need protection from Big Brother. Yes, there are some chilling similarities. Poilievre’s support for Trump’s recent action could be comparable to if a First Nations leader more than a century ago had developed propaganda stating that Macdonald really did want to save Indigenous Peoples and that the prime minister’s actions were really for our own good. Indigenous Peoples have learned harsh lessons about the impacts of having an outside power run roughshod over human rights. Can’t recommend the experience. I strongly suggest that Canada move to the COVID-19-level of emergency response to avoid it. Ironically, Poilievre’s line about socialism comes from the guy who makes approximately $300,000 per year, has a guaranteed pension, publicly funded health care, and a free house to boot. If he truly is against socialism, he can give back his pension, provincial health card, and the house. Be free! Rose LeMay is Tlingit from the West Coast and the CEO of the Indigenous Reconciliation Group. She writes twice a month about Indigenous inclusion and reconciliation. In Tlingit worldview, the stories are the knowledge system, sometimes told through myth and sometimes contradicting the myths told by others. But always with at least some truth. The Hill Times

Poilievre praises a president who threatens democracies—including ours—on a daily basis

Every time a communication like this comes from our political right, it will be perceived as feeding the Donald Trump machine. It is taking a brick out of our own democracy.

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Poilievre praises a president who threatens democracies—including ours—on a daily basis

Every time a communication like this comes from our political right, it will be perceived as feeding the Donald Trump machine. It is taking a brick out of our own democracy.

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